- G'day, everyone.
This is "What's New in EDU,"
where we bring you all the latest innovations
and announcements in education technology.
(upbeat dance music)
As a teacher, you already know how much
technology is changing the nature of work,
just as it's shaping the demand for workforce skills.
Today, we will hear from a few teachers just like you
who will share how you can participate in Hour of Code,
learn about artificial intelligence,
and use STEM learning tools to further
develop your students' creativity, resilience,
and problem-solving skills, all top skills
for jobs of the future.
That's according to the World Economic Forum,
and they know a thing or two.
Now, let's get into our news.
We're excited to announce a new in-game Hour of Code
experience from the "Minecraft: Education Edition" team,
launched in partnership with Code.org.
Hour of Code is a global movement that demystifies coding,
and this new coding lesson will give teachers everywhere
the chance to try "Minecraft: Education Edition"
and learn about computer science with their students.
A wonderful educator from Kent, Washington, will be
a participant in Computer Science Education Week next month.
Let's hear more about it.
- Thanks, Mark!
- [Class] Hi!
- We're here playing "Minecraft" today
during our lunch break, but normally we use
"Minecraft" for ELA, science, math,
and this year we're gonna be using it for Hour of Code.
We've done Hour of Code every year here
at George T. Daniel Elementary, but this year specifically,
we're gonna be diving into "Minecraft,"
because one of the cool things about "Minecraft"
is students already know it, they know how to play it,
it's super engaging, but also, we can really cater it
because of its sandbox style, and it takes away
the intimidation that we find with coding.
So, we're really excited to get started.
It's gonna be great.
All right, thanks again, Mark!
We'll catch you later!
- [Class] Bye!
- That's awesome!
Thank you.
Now, you'll find this year's "Minecraft" Hour of Code
lessons inside a free downloadable version
of "Minecraft: Education Edition."
It's available to anyone on a Windows, Mac, or iPad device,
and there's no license needed.
Plan an Hour of Code for your classroom
or your school at aka.ms/minecrafthourofcode.
Also, drum roll, please...
(snare drum roll)
This year, the "Minecraft" tutorial will introduce
artificial intelligence for the first time.
Not only will students learn the basics of coding,
they'll get an introduction to AI for Good,
with real-world examples of how AI is used
to manage and prevent forest fires.
Don't miss an Hour of Code teacher's guide
and other resources available in more than 15 languages.
Make sure to check them out at aka.ms/minecrafthourofcode.
Also, we have a list of some of our favorite tutorials,
guides, and projects that you can do in under an hour
for Computer Science Education Week,
which is coming up in a hurry.
Kids love games, and they love using technology,
and this brings together using tech
with MakeCode to build amazing games.
The tutorials to help step people through building Galga,
one of my favorite games from the '80s,
step-by-step guides, and also whole projects,
like to build a little creature, your own Micro:Pet,
or measure soil moisture, or information on MakeCode
to get people started if they're not sure.
And speaking about MakeCode, teachers all over
are using our lesson plans and tutorials
to teach coding in their classrooms.
I had a chance to sit down with third-grade
teacher Ms. Wieland.
Tell me a little bit just about you and technology.
What's the experience been?
- We have a computer lab that we go to,
but really, for the most part, I'm somewhat new
to integrating technology into my classroom curriculum.
I really wanna be more involved in technology
in the classroom with Microsoft, and so I will,
you know, continue this journey.
- So, we've been showing Ms. Wieland
that technology integration isn't difficult,
especially with some free resources
and training materials for any grade level.
- Can we do it?
- [Class] Yes we can!
- Then let's do it!
My little leaders are about to build their skills
and their creativity through a free platform
called MakeCode.com.
Today they actually learned about the simulator,
the toolbox, and the workspace.
They were just playing with the simulator today,
beating heart.
There is a flashing heart tutorial.
This step-by-step guide helped me get started.
- [Interviewer] Have you ever done this before?
- This is the first time.
It was quite simple, I do have to say.
And this is called the micro:bit.
The whole thing is, think about it
as the brain of the computer.
The kids did a great job.
In fact, they are the ones that just kinda
took the ball and ran with it, and they did a fabulous job.
- Nice! - So we all had
a good time, didn't we?
- [Ms. Wieland And Class] Yeah!
- (claps) Nice!
- You gotta love that enthusiasm.
And a third-grade teacher coding for the first time?
Seriously cool.
Now, listen up, STEM educators, because we've got
a lot more coming your way this month.
To tackle a big STEM skills gap,
we need big industry leaders to come together,
and this week, we joined forces with companies
like Boeing and Chevron to form
the Discovery Education STEM Careers Coalition.
Together with these partners,
we'll work with the Discovery Education team
to build curriculum collections mapped to key STEM
career pathways across a number of industries.
If you haven't heard about Discovery Education's
tools, take a look at what this educator has to say.
- Hi, Mark!
This is Carrie Willis from Valley Prep School
in Redlands, California.
We've been using Discovery Education's STEM resources
to help my students explore real-world connections.
Students can't be what they can't see!
The digital resources and experiences
in Discovery Education allow my students
to explore areas of interest and future career opportunities
that you just can't find in traditional textbooks.
With Discovery Education, my students have access
to channels of digital resources which include
virtual field trips, STEM career challenges,
like what they're doing behind me, ready-to-go
lesson starters, videos, and interactives.
They just don't provide the resources,
but they also provide SOS instructional strategies
which help me with creative ways to engage my students.
Discovery Education helps unlock a world
of wonder and exploration.
I am so proud to be a part of this community,
and excited to be working with you and the Microsoft team
to provide our students with the opportunities
to create solutions to real-world problems
through the STEM Coalition.
- That's awesome, thanks.
As you prep for Hour of Code, you can use the custom
OneNote Class Notebook wizard that delivers
the Code.org CS Discoveries computer science curriculum.
Visit our help page on detailed support information
in the description below.
We're excited to be on this journey together with you,
and to learn from you.
If you have any recommendations or ideas
on what you'd like to see next month, reach out to us.
And for all the information and resources I mentioned,
check out the links below or in the blog,
and make sure to join in during
Computer Science Education Week.
Thank you, and see you next time.
(upbeat dance music)